Sweet Beulah Land Squire Parsons

Squire Parsons to sing at Ironton church

A Southern Gospel legend will sing at an Ironton church this weekend.

Southern Gospel Music Association Hall-of-Famer Squire Parsons and the Squire Parsons Trio will sing at 6 p.m. Saturday and again at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Ironton First Church of the Nazarene.

The son of a music teacher, Parsons said he learned to love gospel music early on in life.

“It’s the message that has kept me excited and captivated all these years,” Parsons, now 63, said. “When I was a young man I was caught by the rhythm and harmonies and the music more than the message.

“I loved the message but (I loved) being able to perform with gentlemen who knew the music too. I became more interested in the message of the gospel music and really I saw as I dedicated my life to the Lord I saw it gave me a way of being a blessing, putting the message to music.”

Traveling and music ministry have been a way of life for Parsons since he joined the Kingsmen Quartet in 1975. He started a solo ministry four years later.

The traveling may be wearisome at times, but Parsons said he never tires of his visits with the churches.

“The good part is the service and the performance and just being with the people,” Parsons said. “Rather than just a performance, I try to just lead them in worship.”

Parsons has written several well-loved gospel songs throughout his career including “Sweet Beulah Land,” “Master of the Sea,” “I Sing Because,” “He Came To Me,” “Hey Mama,” and “I Go To The Rock.” Other accolades include a Dove award nomination and being named “Favorite Baritone,” “Favorite Gospel Songwriter,” “Favorite Gospel Singer,” and “Favorite Southern Gospel Male Singer” by Singing News magazine.

Parsons said that people relate to his and other Christian music, which is one of the reasons for him for having a large following.

“The thing about Christian music is we write about our experiences,” Parsons said. “We share problems and joys and hopefully they’re able to identify with what you’re saying and singing about. It touches them in the heart as all music does.”

Last fall, Parsons was diagnosed with leukemia while he was in the hospital for a case of pneumonia.

Though it was hardship at the time, Parsons said without the pneumonia doctors would not have caught the cancer as early as they did.

“The doctor said you can thank the Lord from the pneumonia. If not for it we would not have found the leukemia,” he said. “It could have gotten to a worse state. Some of the things we think are the worst in our lives can be a necessary part of our lives to keep us going and we thank the Lord for what we were complaining about.

Sweet Beulah Land by Squire Parsons, Classic Southern Gospel Music ...

Squire Parsons' "Sweet Beulah Land", is an example of classic Southern Gospel music that is still encouraging believers today. Squire Parson made Southern Gospel music history in 1980 as the first soloist to land the number one spot in the Singing News Southern Gospel music chart with his classic Southern Gospel song “Sweet Beulah Land”. Squire Parsons is one the most beloved Southern Gospel Soloists and songwriters. He has been named “Favorite Baritone”, “Favorite Gospel Songwriter”, and “Favorite Gospel Singer” numerous times. Squire Parsons has also been nominated for a Dove Award and has been presented the prestigious Marvis Norcross Award. He is a native of West Virginia and holds a degree in music.

Squire Parson has written many wonderful classic Southern Gospel songs including “I’m Not Giving Up”, “I Go To The Rock”, “Master of the Sea”, and “The Broken Rose”. Squire Parsons’ most famous Southern Gospel song is perhaps, “Sweet Beulah Land”. This song was voted “Song of the Year” in 1981 by the fans of Singing News Magazine.

“Sweet Beulah Land” is an example of classic Southern Gospel music that sounds as fresh today as it did the first time that it was sung. A song that is filled with the longing a Christian feels to be “home”; a song sung by an alien in an alien land longing to be where he will find rest for his soul.

Sweet Beulah Land
By Squire Parsons
Made popular by Squire Parson

Verse 1
I'm kind of homesick for a country
To which I've never been before;
No sad goodbyes will ever be spoken,

Chorus
Beulah land, I'm longing for you,
And, some day, on thee I'll stand,
There my home shall be eternal.
Beulah land, sweet Beulah land.

Verse 2
I'm looking now across the river
Where my faith will end in sight;
There's just a few more days to labor,
And then I'll take my heavenly flight.

Chorus
Beulah land, I'm longing for you,
And, some day, on thee I'll stand,
There my home shall be eternal.
Beulah land, sweet Beulah land.

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